Bonus! More Beauty Shopping in the Produce Aisle Tips

One of our favorite traditions of summer is the overwhelming supply of fresh, juicy summer fruits and vegetables. We've shared three of our tried and true ways to incorporate a few summer kitchen staples into effective beauty products.

Here are three additional ways to turn an abundance of summer fruits into your new favorite beauty products.

Strawberry Tooth Whitener – Strawberries can stain your lips an enchanting "just had a popsicle" stain, but did you know they can also act as a natural tooth whitener? Strawberries contain malic acid, which acts like an astringent and removes surface stains on teeth while fighting plaque. If you have sensitive teeth, or can't be bothered with trays and strips, try this simple teeth cleaning method once or twice a month.

Craft your at-home tooth whitener by mashing a single strawberry in a small bowl. Mix in a half-teaspoon of baking soda and stir well. Then apply the strawberry mixture to your toothbrush and brush for about two or three minutes. When you are done, rinse well and follow up by brushing again with your favorite toothpaste.

Lemon Honey Facial – Besides giving us the perfect summer drink (lemonade!), lemons provide a range of DIY beauty options. The citric acid in lemons acts as a natural lightening and brightening agent, while their astringent qualities can help shrink pores and tone skin. Those with sensitive skin may want to skip this one, but if you have combination or oily skin, you will love this fresh smelling mask!

In a small, shallow bowl, combine three teaspoons of fresh lemon juice with three teaspoons of honey. Mix thoroughly. Apply the lemon-honey mixture to a clean face (to avoid any sensitivities do not exfoliate skin before this mask) and allow it to soak in for 10 - 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water. Pat dry and apply a soothing moisturizer. We recommend Calm Cool & Corrected anti-redness tranquility cream.

Banana Hair Mask – Hair takes a beating during the summer. The sun, heat, wind and water can leave hair dry and lifeless. This simple, one-ingredient mask will have hair sleek and shiny in no time.Bananas are chock full of Vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as natural oils and tryptophan, a rich amino acid, that soothes stressed out hair.

To make this hair mask, reach for an overly ripe banana (one with a few brown spots on its yellow skin) and throw it into a blender. The goal is to get it a smooth, almost liquid consistency without any chunks. Apply the pureed banana on the hair from the roots to the very tips and cover with a shower cap. Relax for 20 to 30 minutes. Jump into the shower and rinse thoroughly, then shampoo and condition as normal.

What are some other DIY beauty treatments that you have tried? Let us know!

By Jen Mathews
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

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